When the ruling Emperor of Juntian is assassinated, it triggers a major struggle to attain power in a mythical pre-China landscape between five of the largest pieces of the Empire. The major states, Tianxuan, Tianquan, Tianshu, Tianji, and Nansu, all start out as dukedoms and transition to kingdoms, each with aspirations of conquering the remaining states.

Mu Rong Li (Zha Jie) of Yao Guang (the direct vassal holding of the Juntian Emperor) settles in Tianquan and befriends Zhi Ming (Zhu Jian), the lazy king of Tianquan. Jian Bin (Evan Ma), the king of Tianji, and Ling Guang (Lu Yun Feng), the king of Tianxuan, are also major players in the political landscape of this exciting drama. This unique drama has a nearly entirely male cast and truly focuses on the political and miltary struggle between the states and monarchs.

“Men With Swords Season 1” is a 2016 Chinese drama series. It is followed by the sequel “Men With Swords Season 2” (2017). The cast is made up of the members of the popular Chinese idol group SpeXial.